Michelangelo painting could be in home of upstate New York family

Michelangelo painting of Jesus and Mary from the 16th century is believed, by one art historian, to be in the home of an upstate New York family. The Michelangelo painting, according to a family member, was given to them by a German baroness.

ByAssociated PressOctober 13, 2010

Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam" detail: The hand of God and the hand of Adam on the ceiling of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel in Rome. Another Michelangelo painting is possibly owned by an upstate New York family.

Tonawanda, New York — An Italian art historian is convinced that a painting passed through generations in a New York family is the work of Michelangelo.

The 16th-century painting hung or was stored for years in the Kober family's upstate home while various family members struck out in efforts to convince the skeptical art world it's the real thing.

But now the painting of Jesus and Mary is getting a second look with the publication of historian Antonio Forcellino's book, "The Lost Pieta," following years of research. Forcellino was contacted by the painting's owner, Martin Kober of Tonawanda, near Buffalo.